On July 18, 2016, amidst chaos and violence between civilians and police officers in the US, Atlanta Mayor and Project Interchange alumnus, Kasim Reed, made a bold statement. In responding to demands from protest organizations to end joint training exercises with the Israeli police, Kasim said: “I’m not going to do that; I happen to believe that the Israeli police department has some of the best counterterrorism techniques in the world, and it benefits our police department from that longstanding relationship.” Watch full clip here and read the Atlanta Jewish Times article.

PI alumnus, Professor Mohamed Alsiadi, discussed the current situation in Syria as well as his experience in Israel in a podcast with AJC’s Scott Richman: “Before going to Israel, the concern was from my students’ perspective. I teach Arab students – Muslims and Christians from the Middle East – strictly first generation [here in the U.S]. They studied in high school or middle school that Israel as a state is the enemy and this is our only enemy that we have. We always had a feeling of how are we going to explain to them the meaning of this visit and the impact on the US. To explain to them that the only solution that we have is to make peace with Israel, not war.”

Renewed Burkina Faso-Israel relations as a direct result of Project Interchange alumnus Cheick Kader Yaméogo, 2013 West African Political Leaders delegation. Mr. Yaméogo successfully coordinated a private meeting between the newly elected President of Burkina Faso, Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, and the Consul and Deputy Chief of Mission at Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel, Itamar Roi. During his trip to Burkina Faso, Roi also met with several Ministers – this was the first time an Israeli official has travelled to Burkina Faso in over three years.

Check out this fascinating 5-minute documentary created by Gregory Wendt, a Project Interchange alumnus from the AJC Denver Muslim/Jewish delegation from 1998. He discusses the importance of dialogue in situations of conflict, especially within the Middle East. Full video here.

“At a personal level it’s been a real mind-opener. From the things we’ve learned about the realities on the ground and also the historical context of the Holocaust. Seeing Yad Vashem was a touching finale to the trip. I’m going back home more informed, more enthusiastic, and more equipped.”

Alumna from Project Interchange’s 2013 Indian Opinion Leaders, Tanvi Madan, wrote an op-ed for Brookings about the state of India’s relationship with Israel, the Modi government’s approach toward that country, and its attempt to de-hyphenate India’s relations with the Israelis and Palestinians.

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About PI

Project Interchange, an educational institute of AJC, brings opinion leaders and policy makers to Israel for a week of intensive travel and learning. Participants experience Israeli society, connect with their Israeli counterparts and learn about Israel’s extensive contributions in their fields.

Founded in 1982, Project Interchange maintains an alumni network of over 6,000 influential voices spanning more than 89 countries.

Project Interchange relies on donors who support its unique purpose and the measurable results its programs yield.

PI Seminar Impact

The impact of a Project Interchange seminar continues long after leaders return home, as they participate in alumni programs; put their new networks, ideas, and understanding of Israel to work; and go on to shape public opinion and policy.